Mission Statement and Goals

Purpose

For many Canadians who are blind, braille is an essential medium or literacy. A system of six raised dots embossed on paper, braille provides a tactile alternative to the printed alphabet. Invented by the Frenchman, Louis Braille in 1829, braille allows persons who are blind to read and provides access to information that sighted persons may take for granted simply because it is in print.

The Canadian Braille Authority supports the following values:

• that all Canadians who require braille to access information have the right to braille literacy
• that all Canadians who are blind have the right to equal access to print information in braille

The Canadian Braille Authority is dedicated to the promotion of braille as the primary medium for persons who are blind. The achievement of this goal will require the support of Canadians from all sectors of society. The Canadian Braille Authority dedicates itself to this goal.

Goals

The CBA is comprised of a committed and dedicated group of users, producers and teachers of braille who work together for a common purpose, the promotion of braille as a primary medium for persons who are blind. Benefitting from its members' diversity and collected knowledge, the CBA:

• ensures a unified Canadian voice for the promotion of braille
• provides a mechanism that will safeguard the continued existence of braille in the face of technological change
• works both in Canada and internationally through the International Council on English Braille (ICEB)
• maintains a commitment to the English and French bilingual use of braille
• informs readers of braille code changes
• participates in evaluating braille code changes
• issues CBA Newsletters at least twice a year in both official languages
• develops and monitors standards for braille teaching
• promotes better access to qualified teaching in braille

Accomplishments

The CBA has made important progress since its inception in 1990. Recent accomplishments include:

• a study to standardize braille tactile graphic production and develop teaching standards
• the Braille Literacy Project, focussed on ensuring the right to braille literacy
• the Braille Technology Project, which investigated the use of the Internet by the CBA, the development of a technology information resource, the collection of information on the conversion of braille formats across different computer platforms and software packages, and the establishment of a Web Site
• a forum on French braille and participation in the evaluation of new contractions
• a survey on educational services in Canada for children who use braille
• a directory of Canadian braille producers
• participation in the Unified Braille Code Research Project of the ICEB with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States
• a listserv for members
• collaboration on a pamphlet for parents of young blind and visually impaired children to be included in a kit for these parents
• a study to determine the use made of tactile graphics by mobility instructors, by rehabilitation teachers, and by teachers in the classroom

Strategies

It is to fulfill its promise in the coming years, the Canadian Braille Authority must:

• build public awareness among Canadians on the importance of braille to people who are blind
• develop the mechanisms to have a positive influence on government legislation concerning braille

You Can Help

The Canadian Braille Authority (CBA) is a non-profit organization that relies solely on membership fees and individual contributions.